Pile-block.



- No. 679,306. Patented July 30, [90L F. W. FREUND.

' PILE BLOCK.

(Application filed Mar. 5, 1901.

(No Model.)

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A llnrrnn STATES Parent Orricn.

FREDERICK W. FREUND, OF AKRON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR OF TWO-THIRDS TO HENRY A. ROBINSON, OE SAME PLACE, AND WALTER M. VIALL, OF

BARISERTON, OHIO.

PlLE-BLOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 679,306, dated July 30, 1901. Application filed March 5, 1901. Serial No. 49,828. (No model.)

To (LZZ wk 0,1 2, it may cancel-it:

Beitknown that LFREDERIOK W. FREUND,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Akron, in the county of Summit and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Pile-Blocks, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has relation to improvements in blocks for the construction of piles for wharves, docks, piers, and like uses.

The object of my invention is to produce an improved block adapted to meet and form a joint with a lower and a superimposed block, which shall be self-centering, practioally indestructible by the elements, and which when placed will resist lateral dislodgment; and a further object is by means of openings to reduce its thickness at practically all points, so that it will readily dry after being pressed preparatory to burning, will burn more evenly and quickly than if solid, will be lighter for transportation, and will afford increased spaces for the reception of cement, if the latter is used.

To the attainment of these objects my invention consists in the peculiar and novel block illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, as hereinafter described and then specifically pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which similar reference-numerals indicate like parts in both views, Figure 1 is a plan of one of my improved pile-blocks, and Fig. 2 a section of the same at the line so at.

Referring to the figures, 1 is a block of burned and Vitrified earthenware, preferably of the kind used in the manufacture of sewerpipe, circular in form and flat on top and bottom except as hereinafter stated. Through the center of this block is a circular concentric opening 2, having a beveled or countersunk recess 3 in the upper face and a truncated conical projection 4 on the lower face adapted to enter the recess of the next succeeding block. About this central opening are preferably a number of curved openings 5 of any desired number; but four will be found advantageous.

The blocks are intended to be successively placed in a tubular metallic case resting in the water with its lower end on the place where it is intended to build the pile, and when the pile rises to the desired height the water is to be pumped from the central opening and into which the water from the curved opening will run until the pile is free from water. The openings are then to be filled with cement and the tubular metallic case withdrawn but this process is not herein expressly claimed, but is only described to more fully explain the blocks and is reserved for a separate application.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is- 1. An improved pile-block, circular in form with fiat bottom and top faces, having a central opening, countersunk at one face and provided with a corresponding conical projection at the other, with openings surrounding said central opening, substantially as shown and described.

2. As an improved article of manufacture, a pile-block of vitrified earthenware, circular in form, with flat top and bottom, having a circular central opening countersunk in one face, and with a conical projection about it at its other face; with concentric curved openings surrounding said central opening substantially as shown and described.

In testimony that I claim the above I hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FREDERICK W. FREUND.

In presence off-- 0. P. HUMPHREY, O. E. IIUMPHREY. 

